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... Rider skill does play a small part, but the winner is invariably has the best horse. ...
Rider skill plays more than a "small" part. Left on their own, no horse would go over any of those jumps. They'd go around it, or just stop. And if the rider did nothing but apply leg and keep the horse straight, the horse might jump over, but the rider would certainly be off by no more than one stride after the landing.

It sounds like you're not a rider. I rode hunters over fences for over 20 years, up to 3'6", and competed for a few of those years, at amateur levels. It's common for non-riders to not understand the skill or the physical effort the rider puts in. The horse & rider are a team, and even a great horse will fail under a poor rider, while a mediocre horse under a great rider can do amazing things. At the Olympic level, you need both a great horse and a great rider.
 
I don't watch the Olympics much, so I don't have a least favorite.

My students, however, all share the same least favorite - the one in which I have multiple gold medals: the Conclusion Jumping Event.
 
Rider skill plays more than a "small" part. Left on their own, no horse would go over any of those jumps. They'd go around it, or just stop. .....

It sounds like you're not a rider. .....

It's common for non-riders to not understand the skill or the physical effort the rider puts in.

The horse & rider are a team, and even a great horse will fail under a poor rider, while a mediocre horse under a great rider can do amazing things.

At the Olympic level, you need both a great horse and a great rider.

Very good and well argued post and very well said.
 
I sincerely hate gymnastics, especially girls gymnastics.....I just can't understand that little dolls-robots, tortured and crippled for so many years starting from such a young age...and for what, for a moment of fame. Their parents and trainers deserve a life imprisonment. Absolutely disgusting.:mad:
 
I sincerely hate gymnastics, especially girls gymnastics.....I just can't understand that little dolls-robots, tortured and crippled for so many years starting from such a young age...and for what, for a moment of fame. Their parents and trainers deserve a life imprisonment. Absolutely disgusting.:mad:
Wouldn't that type of thinking apply to pretty much anything? Any other sport, musical instrument, singing, etc.?
 
I sincerely hate gymnastics, especially girls gymnastics.....I just can't understand that little dolls-robots, tortured and crippled for so many years starting from such a young age...and for what, for a moment of fame. Their parents and trainers deserve a life imprisonment. Absolutely disgusting.:mad:

I'm sure that the same condemnation could be applied to many pursuits, athletic and otherwise. However, I think that it unfairly discounts situations in which a child who makes the sacrifices necessary to perform at the highest levels does so because of a genuine internal desire or need. It's not something I would have wanted my daughter to pursue, but if she had done so I would have supported her.

As for boring Olympic events, I'd put long distance running and swimming in that category. Not that they don't demand athletic prowess, it's just that I find them tedious to watch. I also stay away from boxing. While it certainly requires strength, stamina, and skill, I'm bothered that the primary goal is to injure one's opponent.
 
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More or less, you are right, but in this particular case, it's just horrifying ....
 
+1.
She is my fav player. Gorgeous. (Sara Goller, Germany).

1-sara-goller.jpg
 
My least favorite part of the Olympics is the opening and closing ceremonies. Way too much pomp and circumstance for my taste.
 
the closing ceremony was good for me. Apart from that, haven't really been following the Olympics. May read news from time to time around the whole thing.
 
As a martial artist and a WTF TKD Black Belt (1st Dan, I also train in ITF but do not hold an official ITF belt), I couldn't dare to watch the TKD after I saw it the first day. The sport I loved to compete in, is now becoming horribly bad to watch... (why is electronic gear a thing?). They kick so light, and they are throwing their front leg so much instead of switching stances and throwing combos starting with a rear cut kick (that would be my approach), they are barely landing with their front legs either. ITS A CONTACT SPORT QUIT BEING A P**SY!

I love this sport, but its not the same as it used to be, and nobody really competes at the levels these athletes are capable of. When you look at old school WTF when they didn't have headgear, you could see how they always had solid loaded stances, each kick was thrown with a purpose, and they weren't afraid to be hit; now you look at now and.... Well yeah
 
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